Too Big to Fail

Too Big to Fail is a fast-paced arcade side-scrolling shooter, developed by independent developer Grayson R. You must become the unlikely hero, Balloon Joe, wielding a gun. Enter the battle against countless villains without being destroyed.

Balloon Town in Peril

You play as Balloon Joe, an ordinary resident of Balloon Town. This character possesses several bizarre special abilities: deflating to shrink his body, dodging bullets through narrow gaps, and then reinflating to fight. Your enemy is Mr. Needle, who wants to eliminate every balloon in Balloon Town.

How to play Too Big to Fail: Deflate, shoot, and dodge

Player's Mission

You are equipped with a gun. Fire your bullets to fight your way through three distinct areas. Each zone features unique enemies, different stage layouts, and energetic music.

Game Controls

Tips for defeating monsters

• Use the C/X keys continuously throughout the battle. Shrinking your character will help you dodge unpredictable bullets.
• Collect rewards along the way by moving towards them to increase your score.
• You only have three lives left in this game. Be careful not to get hit by enemy bullets.
• Pressure reaching 0 means game over. Pay attention to the heart icon in the top left corner of the screen.

Become the hero of the city

Too Big to Fail is a fun, accessible, yet challenging arcade game. I failed many times in this game! Timing the deflating mechanic correctly is the key to surviving tougher encounters. Become the balloon hero and save the town from being completely deflated!